Deadline: 18 August, 2019
Early career researchers working on plant disease carried by insect vectors can now apply for full funding to attend a five-day introductory level vector and virus diagnostics course in Ibadan, Nigeria, in November 2019, which is being run by CONNECTED in association with The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Newcastle University, and The Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK.
‘The application of molecular diagnostics for plant virus surveillance.’ will run at IITA in Ibadan from Monday 4 to Friday 8 November.
The course will include an introduction to DNA barcoding and an isothermal amplification masterclass, practical sessions will include:
- DNA extraction on plants and insects
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Gel Electrophoresis and sample preparation for sequencing
- Sequence analysis
- Loop mediated AMPlification (LAMP) and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA)
- PCR/LAMP primer design.
In between practical sessions, there will be lecture input on diagnostic techniques, validation, quality assurance, troubleshooting, and local issues such as reagent purchasing, storage and waste disposal.
Costs/Funding:
The partnership arrangement will:
- fully fund travel,
- accommodation,
- subsistence and all training costs for up to 20 successful applicants.
Eligibility:
Applicant eligibility for funding
Applicants must:
- Be CONNECTED Network members.
- Be Early Career Researchers (ECRs). ECRs are defined as those who have received their highest degree (BSc, MS or PhD) within the past 7 years (allowances will be made for career breaks due to care responsibilities or change in career, etc).
- Have a current contract of research employment which extends at least until the
finish date of the proposed training. - Be supported by your organisation: please provide a letter of support from your
research group leader alongside your application.
All CONNECTED network members who are early career researchers are eligible to apply, with preference given to those based in countries in the OECD DAC list.
Note:
- Applicants will be notified of the outcome in early September.
- Successful applicants will be required to complete a short questionnaire before and after the course, together with a follow up questionnaire six months later.
- The funding body that the CONNECTED Network receives funding from stipulates that full-
time students are not eligible to apply. - Part-time students are eligible if they also have an employment research contract with their organisation which extends at least until the end of the course. This should be confirmed in the letter of support from your group leader.
How to apply:
Your application should include:
- A completed application form.
- Your CV: this should include information on your current employment, education, publications, conferences, training courses undertaken and any previous awards.
- A letter of support from your research group leader. This letter should include the. following:
- Confirmation of your contract of research employment at your institution
- Confirmation that you are recommended to attend this course.
Completed application forms, CVs, and letters of support must all be submitted to the Network Team email account ([email protected]) by midnight on the
closing date, Sunday 18 August 2019. You will receive acknowledgement of your application.
